COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT News Release (096) issued by The Government News Network
on 6 May 2008
Communities and
Local Government published today the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS)
Operational Statistics bulletin, which covers operational
statistics for the period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007.
The key points that have not been published previously are
outlined below.
Equality and Diversity
There has been a gradual increase in
the representation of women and minority ethnic staff over the
last three years. At 31 March 2007, women formed 3.1% of the
operational workforce compared with 2.5% in 2005 and minority
ethnic staff formed 3.2% of all staff (uniformed and non-uniformed
combined) compared with 2.7% in 2005.
Health and Safety
Sickness absence levels for wholetime
firefighters have improved slightly since the previous year, while
those for fire control staff have increased to 12.6 shifts/days
lost from 11.9 shifts/days lost in 2005/06.
The number of staff retiring on grounds of ill health has also
decreased over the last three years.
The total number of injuries sustained by firefighters (during
training, operational incidents and routine activities) in 2006/07
decreased by 281 to 4,312; a drop of 6% on the previous year.
Operational Activities
The fire and rescue service attended a
total of 797 thousand incidents. The total incidents attended
were made up of the following: fires, 43%; fire false alarms, 37%;
and non fire incidents, 21%.
Notes to Editor
1. This bulletin contains the latest statistics relating to
operational issues affecting Fire and Rescue Services in England.
This is the fourth in the series.
2. The figures in the publication are compiled from annual
returns on Fire and Rescue Service operational statistics
submitted to the Communities and Local Government by Fire and
Rescue Authorities. They collect information on personnel,
equality and diversity, health and safety and operational activities.
3. Copies of the "Fire and Rescue Service Operational
Statistics for England, 2006/07" bulletin and other fire
statistical publications can be downloaded via the
Department's website at http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/770245
News Releases: http://www.communities.gov.uk/newsroom